Explores philosophical themes and ideas inherent in classic noir and neo-noir films, establishing connections to diverse thinkers ranging from Camus to the Frankfurt School. The authors, each focusing on a different aspect of the genre, explores the philosophical underpinnings of classic films.

What is Film Noir? surveys the various theories of film noir, defines film noir, and explains how the genre relates to the style and the period in which noir was created. It also provides a very useful theory of genre and how it relates to film study.

Film Noir offers new perspectives on this highly popular and influential film genre, providing a useful overview of its historical evolution and the many critical debates over its stylistic elements. Brings together a range of perspectives on a topic that has been much discussed but remains notoriously ill-defined Traces the historical development of the genre, usefully exploring the relations between the films of the 1940s and 1950s that established the "noir" universe and the more recent films in which it has been frequently revived Employs a clear and intelligent writing style that makes this the perfect introduction to the genre Offers a thorough and engaging analysis of this popular area of film studies for students and scholars Presents an in-depth analysis of six key films, each exemplifying important trends of film noir: Murder, My Sweet; Out of the Past; Kiss Me Deadly; The Long Goodbye; Chinatown; and Seven

Hollywood showed its dark side in the 1940s and 50s with a wave of highly stylized movies featuring sinister plots, shady characters, sexual tension, chaos and confusion. These films have fascinated critics, students, moviegoers, and moviemakers ever since. Classics including THE MALTESE FALCON, THE BIG SLEEP, and THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE are analysed, with iconic actors, such as Robert Mitchum and legendary directors including Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and Orson Welles profiled.

"Film Noir explores the murky world of a genre responsible for many of film's most enduring images. Mark Bould discusses problems of definition and the often ambiguous nature of film noir and looks at contemporary 'neo-noir' films. Iconic and enduring, film noir attracted great stars (Bogart, Bacall, Mitchum, Lancaster), many of the best directors of the postwar period (Wilder, Lang, Preminger, Hawks, Siodmak, Welles) and in considering the history and continuing importance of noir, from Weimar Cinema to Sin City, this book is an indispensible guide to this still popular genre."--

From The Maltese Falcon (1941) to Touch of Evil (1958), the classic film noir is easily recognizable for its unusual lighting, sinister plots, and feeling of paranoia. For critics and fans alike, these films defined an era. The Philosophy of Film Noir explores philosophical themes and ideas inherent in classic noir and neo-noir films, establishing connections to diverse thinkers ranging from Camus to the Frankfurt School. The authors, each focusing on a different aspect of the genre, explore the philosophical underpinnings of classic films such as The Big Sleep (1946), Out of the Past (1947), and Pulp Fiction (1994). They show how existentialism and nihilism dominate the genre as they explore profound themes in a vital area of popular culture.

The Historical Dictionary of Film Noir is a comprehensive guide that ranges from 1940 to present day neo-noir. It consists of a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, a filmography, and over 400 cross-referenced dictionary entries on every aspect of film noir and neo-noir, including key films, personnel (actors, cinematographers, composers, directors, producers, set designers, and writers), themes, issues, influences, visual style, cycles of films (e.g. amnesiac noirs), the representation of the city and gender, other forms (comics/graphic novels, television, and videogames), and noir's presence in world cinema. It is an essential reference work for all those interested in this important cultural phenomenon.

Weaving together reproduced images and a gritty wise-cracking commentary that pulls no punches. This book recreates the seedy, single-streetlight world of Hammett and Chandler. From Double Indemnity to Chinatown, Bogart to Ladd, delivering the goods - straight, no chaser.

Beginning with a general overview of film noir and covering its most important themes chapter by chapter (lovers plan murder, corrupt police, doomed love, psychological noir, etc.), this copiously illustrated handbook provides instant and in-depth access to the film noir genre for amateurs and aficionados alike. Among the films covered are these "Top Ten": "Double Indemnity", "Kiss Me Deadly", "Gun Crazy", "Criss Cross", "Detour", "In A Lonely Place", "T-Men", "Out of the Past", "The Reckless Moment", and "Touch of Evil".